Little Bustard (2/2)
Tetrax tetrax (Linnaeus, 1758) (171, 5)
Photo © By Joan Carles Hinojosa Galisteo - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17259989
NOT PROVEN
0). 1774 Sussex No locality, male, shot, December.
(Fox, 1827; Selby, 1833; Jenyns, 1835).
[Walpole-Bond, 1938].
History Selby (1833 (1): 447-448) says: '...This bird [1823 Northumberland], although destitute of the peculiar markings about the head and neck that distinguish the male in his adult state, or rather perhaps at a particular season, proved, however, to be of that sex, by the unerring test of dissection. This fact, corroborated by the case mentioned in the Supplement to Dr. Latham's General Synopsis, of a bird of this species, killed in Sussex, having the apparent plumage of the female, but also, on dissection, proving otherwise, has led me to doubt the assertion of various writers, that all the individuals killed in Britain had been of the female sex.'
Walpole-Bond (1938 (3): 321) says: 'In a Tunstall MS., quoted by G. T. Fox (Synop. Newcastle Mus. 1827, p. 83), we find this: "Had one of this rare species in England given me in 1774, shot, I think, in Sussex, about Christmas". But this is not to say: that the bird was obtained in 1774, and in consequence the date of its demise remains ambiguous. Moreover, the way in which the announcement is worded leaves it doubtful as to whether the specimen really was killed in Sussex. (This, of course, is the Sussex Little Bustard mentioned by Jenyns in 1835 on p. 176 of his Man. Brit. Vert. Anim.).'
Comment Tunstall also recorded the first Ruddy Shelduck that on closer inspection was a Cape Shelduck!
0). 1808 Hampshire Near Wherwell Wood, Andover, shot, mid-December.
(Latham, 1821-28).
[Not in Clark & Eyre, 1993].
History Latham (1823 (8): 365) says: 'One shot in or near Wherwell Wood, not far from Andover, in Hampshire, in the middle of December, 1808.'
Not accepted locally (Clark & Eyre 1993).
0). 1809 Hampshire Near Romsey, female, killed, January.
(Latham, 1821-28; Yarrell, 1871-85).
[Not in Clark & Eyre, 1993].
History Latham (1823 (8): 365) says: 'A third shot in Jan. 1809, by the Hon. W. Temple, in a turnip field, in the parish of Wellow, near Romsey, Hants. This latter was eighteen inches in length, to the end of the tail; but to that of the toes twenty inches and a half; extent of the wings two feet nine inches; weight thirty-three ounces (averdup.) This, as well as the two last mentioned, had the plumage of the female, as described above; the real sex, from the inside being in decay, could not be ascertained; but the colour of the plumage was very bright and distinct.'
Howard Saunders (1882-84 (3): 217, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, says: 'Latham, cites another, also a female, killed near Romsey, in January, 1809.'
Not accepted locally (Clark & Eyre 1993).
Comment Possibly overlooked by Hampshire Records Committee, because I see no reason for not accepting it.
0). Pre 1812 Berkshire No locality, female, killed, undated.
(Bullock, 1812).
[Radford, 1966; Swash et al., 1996]
History Bullock (1812: 79) says: 'This rare species of British bird was lately killed in Berkshire. It is a female, the other sex being very seldom met with in this country.'
Not accepted locally (Radford 1966; Swash et al. 1996).
Comment Lacks a precise date and supporting details for a scientific record. Not acceptable.
0). Pre 1837 Lancashire & North Merseyside Burscough, undated.
(P. Rylands, Wood's Naturalist 1837: 354).
[White, McCarthy & Jones, 2008].
History Peter Rylands (1837) in Wood's Naturalist, Vol. II. p. 354, under 'Catalogue of Birds found in Lancashire', says: 'Little Bustard. Burscough.'
White, McCarthy & Jones (2008) say: 'No particulars are available for records claimed at Burscough and Overton (Riddiough 1812, Naturalist 1837).'
Comment Lacks a precise date for a scientific record. Not acceptable.
0). Pre 1837 Lancashire & North Merseyside Overton, undated.
(White, McCarthy & Jones, 2008).
[White, McCarthy & Jones, 2008].
History White, McCarthy & Jones (2008) say: 'No particulars are available for records claimed at Burscough and Overton (Riddiough 1812, Naturalist 1837).'
Comment Lacks a precise date for a scientific record. Not acceptable.
0). 1846 Northumberland Bedlington, obtained, August.
(J. Duff, Zoologist 1851: 3036).
[Kerr, 2001].
History Joseph Duff of Bishop Auckland (1851) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. IX. p. 3036, dated 19th December, 1850, says: 'In the early part of August, same year [1846], and near the same place [Bedlington, Northumberland], an immature, small bustard was shot, and is now in the possession of Mr. H. Cornal, of this town.'
Comment Joseph Duff had already mistaken Bedlington for Bridlington (King Eider) and this record does not appear in either of the counties avifaunas involved. Not known to have been seen by a competent authority. Not acceptable.
0). 1851 Berkshire Reading, obtained, autumn.
(J. C. Wilson, Morris and Bree's Naturalist 3: 19).
[Not in Swash, 1996].
History J. C. Wilson of Reading (1853) in Morris and Bree's edition of The Naturalist, Vol. III. p. 19, dated 14th September 1852, under 'Rare Birds at Reading', says: 'In the autumn of last year a specimen of the Little Bustard (I think a female), was obtained here.' Not accepted locally (Swash 1996).
Comment No identification details of a difficult species. Not known to have been seen by a competent authority. Not acceptable.
0). c. 1851 Nottinghamshire Near Idle Stop, shot, undated.
(Limbert, in prep.).
[KAN].
History Email from Jason Reece: The national rarities were a White Stork shot at Misson on 7th May 1830 (M Limbert in prep. Bawtry and Misson, with especial reference to mid-19th century vertebrate exploitation, The Lapwing) and a Little Bustard shot near Idle Stop (on the boundary with Lincolnshire about 8 years prior to c. 1859. The latter record is in a manuscript from John Brown in the Doncaster Archives DZ.MD/690/1).
Comment Lacks a precise date for a scientific record. Not known to have been seen by a competent authority. Not acceptable.
0). 1861 Moray & Nairn Westfield, near Elgin, another, seen, February.
(Gray, 1871; Harvie-Brown & Buckley, 1896).
[Forrester & Andrews et al., 2007].
History Gray (1871: 249-250) says: 'A female was obtained in Morayshire on 8th February, 1861: it was shot at Westfield, about four or five miles from Elgin, and when first seen was along with a flock of wood pigeons in a turnip field picking the tops of the plants. This bird, which is a very fine specimen, now belongs to the collection of the Elgin Museum, where I have seen and examined it. A fourth Little Bustard [for Scotland] was seen in the same county a few days after the last mentioned bird was killed. It was observed on three or four different occasions, but was so shy that it would not admit of a nearer approach than 200 yards.'
Accepted locally (Harvie-Brown & Buckley 1896 (2): 170).
Comment No identification details for this sight record of a difficult species. Not acceptable.
0). Pre 1866 Nottinghamshire Near Newark, two, shot, undated.
(Felkin, 1866; Whitaker, 1907).
[B. Ellis et al., Birds of Nottinghamshire Report 1997: 48].
History Felkin (1866: 51) says: 'W. Foottit, Esq., has received two in the flesh, shot near Newark.'
Whitaker (1907: 252-253) says: 'Two were killed near Newark, and taken to Mr. Foottit, who had them preserved and placed them in his collection. He wrote to Felkin, telling him about them, and they were mentioned in the paper which Mr. Felkin read before the British Association, at Nottingham, in 1866. At Mr. Foottit's sale I bought them, knowing their history, and as they were the only ones he had there could have been no mistake about them being shot in Nottinghamshire. The male is in full breeding plumage, and as this bird had never occurred in Britain in this dress before, some of the scientific naturalists were rather dubious about it; but another male having since been shot in this plumage, in Norfolk, in 1898, there can no longer be any doubt about the authentication of my bird, which now has the credit of being the first ever obtained in Britain in this plumage.'
Comment Lacks a precise date for a scientific record. One of them would probably be the 1842 record with both of them lacking a date and details. Not accepted locally (B. Ellis et al., Birds of Nottinghamshire Report 1997: 48).
0). 1867 Wiltshire Sidbury Hill, pair, seen, 4th April.
(Smith, 1887; Wiltshire Ornithological Society, 2007).
[Smith, 1887].
History Smith (1887: 365-366) says: 'Not nearly so conclusive is another notice of its occurrence with which the Rev. A. P. Morres furnished me; for as its authenticity rests on an anonymous contribution to a local newspaper, it can only be received with extreme caution. The writer, however, certainly seems to speak with some apparent acquaintance with the bird, and it is much to be regretted that he so seriously impaired the value of his information by with-holding the authority of his name. He says: "Riding on the old driftway which leads from Salisbury to Everleigh, when near the latter place, at the back of Sidbury Hill, on the open down, I came suddenly on a pair of Bustards. I know the birds perfectly, having seen them on the plains near Casa Vischeu, halfway between Cadix and Gibraltar, in the south of Spain. There are two sorts: the greater and lesser. It was a pair of the Lesser Bustards I saw this day. Meeting an old man shortly after, I inquired if he had ever seen such a thing". His answer was, "I am seventy-two, and never have; but I have heard my father speak of them as having been quite common in his youth. I hope no sportsman or naturalist will think it necessary to shoot them, as they may breed. - Vintor, April 4, 1867".
Mr. Morres is not disposed to put much credence in this account, because of the late date assigned to their appearance, whereas the visits of this bird to the British Isles are generally in late autumn or winter; but, for my part, I do not think the Little Bustard is so rare in this country as some imagine, though, as a shy, timid bird, and a lover of solitary places, it keeps as far as possible from the haunts of man. Mr. Howard Saunders says: that altogether between sixty and seventy have been recorded as visitors to the British Islands.'
Comment Anonymous records were unacceptable to ornithologists. Not known to have been seen by a competent authority. Not acceptable.
0). 1877 Wiltshire Netheravon, two, seen, 6th August.
(Eds., Field 11th Aug., 1877: 187; A. C. Smith, Field 25th Aug., 1877: 224; Smith, 1887; Buxton, 1981).
[KAN].
History In an Editorial (1877) in The Field of 11th Aug., Vol. L. p. 187, they say: 'A pair of bustards were seen by the Right Hon. E. P. Bouverie and a party of riders on Salisbury Plain on Monday last, Aug. 6. From the difference in size, they were regarded as cock and hen. They allowed the approach of the cavalcade to within eighty yards before taking flight, after which they were seen to alight. We do not indicate the exact locality, in order, if possible, to preserve them from those lovers of nature who would sacrifice them for museum specimens.'
A. C. Smith of Yatesbury Rectory, Calne (1877) in The Field of 25th August, Vol. L. p. 224, says: 'I have it on the best authority - viz., from the Right Hon. E. P. Bouverie himself - that the two birds that he saw on Salisbury Plain were not the Great Bustard, as the paragraph in The Field of the 11th inst. would imply, but the Little Bustard, which has always been a very much rarer bird in this country, and of whose occurrences in Wilts. I have but one previous notice.'
Smith (1887: 364-365) says: 'I have no hesitation in admitting this interesting species into our Wiltshire list, on the authority of the Right Hon. E. P. Bouverie, of the Manor House, Market Lavington, who is a keen observer of birds, and who fell in with two of this species on August 6th, 1877, and on returning home was so good as to favour me with the following account of what he had seen: - "I was riding with some friends on Monday, August 6th, on the plain above Netheravon, and my attention was attracted by a large strange bird, which rose off a fallow about 100 yards from me; a second rose immediately afterwards and flew in a different direction, 150 yards on to the down adjoining, and then ran, very fast, a short distance. I pursued: it rose again and took another short flight, and alighted again, ran a short way, and then crouched. I pursued it again: it ran on, and then took flight and swung round us about 200 or 250 yards distance, so as to be quite observable, with head outstretched. I have no doubt they were a pair of Lesser Bustards. I have looked at the plate in Bewick and Yarrell, and they correspond most closely - especially the latter - with the appearance of the one we followed.
Its size and flight, as described by Macgillivray, correspond exactly with our observation; the size that of a large Pheasant, or say: a Blackcock; the flight peculiar, with neck stretched out. The head when the bird squatted, and the markings as it flew by, were exactly like the plates. In short, apart from the evidence afforded by handling them, there is the strongest proof that the Lesser Bustard was on the Plain".
Mr. Bouverie is well acquainted with the "Great Plover" or "Stone Curlew", the only species with which they could be confused, and was satisfied that the birds he saw were not of that species; so that I have no doubt, he was correct in deciding that they were veritable Little Bustards.'
Comment I am not so sure. There is no size difference between sexes and there is no mention of the large amount of white in the wing. Misidentification. Not acceptable.
0). c. 1878 Kent Higham, near Rochester, killed, undated.
(Fielding, 1893; Ticehurst, 1909; Harrison, 1953).
[Ticehurst, 1909].
History Fielding (1893: 258) under 'Little Bustard' just says: 'Higham.'
Ticehurst (1909: 407) says: 'The Rev. C. H. Fielding mentions one (Memories of Malling, p. 258) which was shot at Higham, near Rochester, as he now informs me, about the year 1878....These last two records are, unfortunately, meagre in details, so that it is difficult to say: whether they refer to two birds or one. Dowker has made matters worse by hopelessly mixing up his records of this bird with those of the Great Bustard.'
Not accepted locally (Ticehurst 1909).
0). 1880 Cambridgeshire/Suffolk Newmarket Heath, obtained, undated.
(J. H. Palmer, Field 11th Dec., 1880: 879).
[Lack, 1934].
History J. H. Palmer of Newmarket (1880) in The Field of 11th Dec., Vol. LVI. p. 879, says: 'Mr. Howlett also showed me a Little Bustard (Otis tetrax), taken on some part of the Newmarket Heath.'
Comment Lack (1934: 47) called Howlett notoriously unreliable and rejected all his records. Not acceptable.
0). 1882 Suffolk Moulton, shot, February.
(Babington, 1884-86; Ticehurst, 1932).
[Lack, 1934].
History Babington (1884-86: 253) says: 'One shot at Moulton, Feb., 1882 (Howlett in litt.).' Accepted locally (Ticehurst 1932: 328).
Comment Lack (1934: 47) called Howlett notoriously unreliable and rejected all his records for Cambridgeshire. Not seen by a competent authority. Not acceptable.
0). Pre 1886 Warwickshire Thickbroom, near Tamworth, undated.
(Chase, 1886; Tomes, 1904; Norris, 1947).
[KAN].
History Tomes (1904 (1): 203) in the Victoria County History of Warwickshire, says: 'Once at Thickbroom near Tamworth. - Chase.'
Norris (1947: 70) says: 'R. W. Chase (1886) in the British Association Handbook of Birmingham in a paper titled 'Birds of the Birmingham District', records one occurring at Thickbroom, near Tamworth.'
Comment Lacks a precise date for a scientific record with no supporting details. Not acceptable.
0). Pre 1889 Kent St Nicholas-at-Wade Marshes, Thanet, shot, undated.
(Dowker, 1889; Ticehurst, 1909; Harrison, 1953).
[http://www.kentos.org.uk/Records/LittleBustard.htm]
History Dowker (1889: 36) says: 'The Little Bustard - but few specimens of this rare bird are recorded from our district; one, now in the Rev. B. Austen's collection, was killed some years ago, in the St Nicholas Marshes.'
Ticehurst (1909: 407) says: 'A bird, which the Rev. Benjamin Austen, of Walmer, informs me is still in his possession, was killed, according to Dowker, in St. Nicholas marshes, Thanet, some years prior to 1889. The owner is unfortunately unable to add any further details.'
Comment Lacks a precise date for a scientific record with no supporting details. Not acceptable.
0). 1889 North-east Scotland Culter, killed, 10th December.
(Sim, 1903; Phillips, 1997).
[I. J. Andrews & K. A. Naylor, Scottish Birds 23: 76].
History Sim (1903: 166) says: 'The second specimen [for Dee area] was killed at Culter, December 10th, 1889; sex and weight not noted. It was preserved by Mr. Benzie, Aberdeen.'
Accepted nationally (Baxter & Rintoul 1953) and locally (Phillips 1997) but not by (Witherby et al. 1940-52; BOU 1971).
Comment Not known to have been seen by a competent authority. Not accepted nationally (I. J. Andrews & K. A. Naylor, Scottish Birds 23: 76).
0). c. 1894 Kent Pineham, near Dover, undated.
(Ticehurst, 1909; Harrison, 1953).
[Ticehurst, 1909].
History Ticehurst (1909: 407) says: 'Mr. Gray, the naturalist, of Dover, informed me (1903) that one, then exhibited at the Faversham Institute, was shot by the late Mr. Hilton, of that town, on the hills above Dover, and may be the bird referred to by Mr. Webb (Brit. Assoc. Handbk. to Dover (1899) p. 96) as having been killed at Pineham about 1894. These last two records are, unfortunately, meagre in details, so that it is difficult to say whether they refer to two birds or one. Dowker has made matters worse by hopelessly mixing up his records of this bird with those of the Great Bustard.'
Comment Lacks a precise date for a scientific record with no supporting details and confusion with another record. Not acceptable.
0). 1897 Hampshire Grateley Station, seen, undated.
(Kelsall & Munn, 1905).
[Clark & Eyre, 1993].
History Kelsall & Munn (1905: 279) say: 'In 1897, Mr. Metcalfe, of Roche Court, Salisbury, flushed a bird, which the Rev. A. Morres thinks must certainly have been a Little Bustard, out of the turnips in a field about two miles south of Grateley Station; it passed so close that there was difficulty in seeing its colour and markings distinctly.'
Clark & Eyre (1993: 191) did not list this record among those still acceptable to Hampshire.
Comment Not specifically identified. Not acceptable.
0). 1900 Kent Newenden, female, 2nd January.
(Harrison, 1953).
[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].
History Harrison (1953 (1): 298) says: 'Dr. Ticehurst has sent me a note to say that a female Little Bustard was shot at Newenden on 2nd January 1900 and that it was now in Mr. Boyd Alexander's collection.'
Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.
0). 1900 Sussex Ashburnham, shot, 28th December.
(G. W. Bradshaw, Zoologist 1900: 428; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 2: 148; Walpole-Bond, 1938).
[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].
History G. W. Bradshaw of 54, London Road, Reading (1901) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. V. p. 428, says: 'On Dec. 23rd, 1900, a Little Bustard (Otis tetrax) was shot at Kitchenham Farm, Ashburnham, near Hastings, Sussex, by the Hon. John Ashburnham. Mr. Borrer, in his Birds of Sussex, describes it as a very rare straggler. He only mentions instances of its occurrence, the two last in 1879.'
Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. II. p. 148, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899', who add: 'One was shot at Ashburnham on Dec. 23rd, 1900 (G. W. Bradshaw, t.c., 1900, p. 428) - [the date should be Dec. 28th.] - N.F.T.'.
Accepted locally (Walpole-Bond 1938 (3): 322).
Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.
0). 1902 Sussex Hollington, female, picked up dead, 8th February.
(F. Ashburnham, Field 22nd Feb., 1902: 281; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 2: 148; Walpole-Bond, 1938).
[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].
History Fleetwood Ashburnham of Broomham, Hastings (1902) in The Field of 22nd Feb., Vol. XCIX. p. 281, says: 'It may interest you to hear that a female Little Bustard was picked up dead close to the telegraph wires of the S.E.R., and not far from West St. Leonards station, on Feb. 8. It had no doubt been killed by flying against the wires, for one side of its head was deeply cut. It was in adult plumage, except the neck feathers. I am having it preserved.'
Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. II. p. 148, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899', who say: 'A female was killed against telegraph wires at Hollington in February, 1902 (N.F.T.)'.
Accepted locally (Walpole-Bond 1938 (3): 322).
Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.
0). 1904 Sussex Between Willingdon and Polegate, obtained, 9th April.
(Walpole-Bond, 1938).
[KAN].
History Walpole-Bond (1938 (3): 322) says: 'On April 9th, 1904, one was obtained between Willingdon and Polegate (F. Ashburnham, in litt.).'
Comment F. Ashburnham's name crops up many times in records involved in the "Hastings Rarities" fraud (Nicholson & Ferguson-Lees 1962). Not acceptable.
0). 1905 Sussex Westfield, female, 26th or 31st December.
(E. N. Bloomfield, Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist 1: 304, 305; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 2: 148; Walpole-Bond, 1938).
[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].
History E. N. Bloomfield (1911) in the Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist, Vol. I. pp. 304, 305, says: 'Dr. N. F. Ticehurst has sent me a long and very interesting list of rare birds which have occurred in our own and neighbouring districts, to which I have added a few others lately presented to the Museum by Mr. W. H. Mullens. In Sussex - Otis tetrax, L., Little Bustard, Westfield, December 31st, 1905.'
Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. II. p. 148, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899', who say: 'A female was shot at Westfield on Dec. 26th, 1905 (N.F.T.)'.
Accepted locally (Walpole-Bond 1938 (3): 322).
Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.
0). 1909 Sussex Pevensey, 11th September.
(Walpole-Bond, 1938).
[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].
History Walpole-Bond (1938 (3): 322-323) says: 'On September 11th, 1909, one at Pevensey (H. A. Bryden, in litt.).'
Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.
0). 1911 Sussex Beckley, female, shot, 21st October.
(J. B. Nichols, British Birds 5: 226; W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 32: 284; E. N. Bloomfield, Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist 2: 3; Walpole-Bond, 1938).
[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].
History J. B. Nichols (1912) in British Birds, Vol. V. p. 226, says: 'A fine female Little Bustard (Otis tetrax) was shot at Beckley, Sussex, on October 21st, 1911, and is now in my possession.'
W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Editor (1913) in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club, Vol. XXXII. p. 284, on the unexpected occurrences for 1911, says: 'Female shot, Beckley (Sussex), October 21st.'
Accepted locally (Walpole-Bond 1938 (3): 323).
Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.
0). 1912 Suffolk Wickham Market, seen, December.
(Ticehurst, 1932; Piotrowski, 2003).
[KAN].
History Ticehurst (1932) was informed by Mr. Mallett that one was seen at Wickham Market during December.
Comment This is a third-hand report, but is still accepted locally by Piotrowski (2003). No identification details for this sight record of a difficult species. Not known to have been seen by a competent authority. Not acceptable.
0). 1913 Sussex Icklesham, male, 28th October.
(E. N. Bloomfield, Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist 2: 98, 99; Walpole-Bond, 1938).
[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].
History E. N. Bloomfield (1914) in the Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist, Vol. II. pp. 98, 99, says: 'We are again indebted to Dr. N. F. Ticehurst, Mr. Ford Lindsay and the Museum Report of birds presented by Mr. W. H. Mullens, for a good list of interesting species which have occurred in our own and neighbouring districts. The dates are 1913 unless otherwise indicated: Otis tetrax, L., Little Bustard, Icklesham, male, October 28th.'
Walpole-Bond (1938 (3): 323) says: 'On October 28th, 1912, one at Icklesham (H. W. Ford-Lindsay, British Birds VII, p. 270).'
Comment The reference and date quoted by Walpole-Bond are erroneous. Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.
0). 1913 Sussex Icklesham, male, obtained, 27th December.
(H. W. Ford-Lindsay, British Birds 7: 270; Walpole-Bond, 1938).
[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].
History H. W. Ford-Lindsay (1914) in British Birds, Vol. VII. p. 270, says: 'On December 27th, 1913, an example of the Little Bustard (Otis tetrax) was obtained at Icklesham, Sussex. I examined it in the flesh on the following day, and found it to be a male, in splendid condition.'
Accepted locally (Walpole-Bond 1938 (3): 323).
Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.
0). 1919 Sussex Jury's Gap, male, male, 4th April.
(W. Ruskin Butterfield, Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist 3: 133; Walpole-Bond, 1938).
[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].
History W. Ruskin Butterfield (1920) in the Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist, Vol. III. p. 133, says: 'Mr. G. Bristow showed to me in the flesh a male which was shot at Jury's Gap on April 4th.'
Accepted locally (Walpole-Bond 1938 (3): 323).
Comment Locality is in Sussex (Sussex Bird Report 1953: 5). Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.
0). 1920 Northumberland Holy Island, seen, 24th April.
(S. Gordon, British Birds 14: 48).
[Not in Kerr, 2001].
History Seton Gordon of Bamburgh (1920) in British Birds, Vol. XIV. p. 48, in a Letter dated May 4th, 1920, says: 'Sirs, - On Holy Island on April 24th, 1920, I had an excellent view of a bird quite new to me, and which I should say: was certainly a Bustard, but I am not familiar with this bird. It was on a field of growing oats, and crouched when observed, looking up frightened. Its long neck was held well up all the while. I should say: its neck and breast were pale cinereous coloured, but I could not see the back well. On taking wing, its white wings (though not pure white) were conspicuous. They were flapped rapidly and held pendulously, reminding me of the flight of a Long-tailed Duck. The flight was not powerful, but fairly rapid. In size I should say: the bird was decidedly smaller and lighter than a hen Caper. What do you think it was ?'
[The white on the wings and the description of the flight, which is very characteristic, taken in conjunction with the other details, make it almost certain that the bird was a Little Bustard (Otis tetrax). - Eds.]
Comment Not specifically identified. Not acceptable.
0). 1925 Sussex Wartling, female, shot, 21st September.
(N. F. Ticehurst, Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist 4: 38; Walpole-Bond, 1938).
[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].
History N. F. Ticehurst (1928) in the Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist, Vol. IV. p. 38, says: 'A female shot at Wartling, September 21st, 1925 (G.B.).'
Accepted locally (Walpole-Bond 1938 (3): 323).
Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.
0). 1939 Cornwall St Columb Downs, adult male, seen, 20th May.
(B. H. Ryves & D. Valentine, Cornwall Bird-Watching & Preservation Society Report 1939: 44; Ryves, 1948).
[Penhallurick, 1978].
History B. H. Ryves & D. Valentine (1939) in the Cornwall Bird-Watching & Preservation Society Report, Vol. IX. p. 44, say: 'On 20th May, on St Columb Downs, I saw a male in full plumage. He rose within twenty feet and flew off down a slight slope. My immediate impression was of a strange game bird with long very dark neck, the darkness ending abruptly, and contrasting strongly with the wings and body which gave the idea of a very whitish bird. The wings had a fairly wide white margin; the rest of the wing and the back from the end of the dark neck was variegated sandy buff colour very much the shade of a Barn Owl. The flight was low, close to the ground, not fast, with quick quivering wing beats, rather downward curved wings, the bird generally, apart from the prominent long dark neck, being reminiscent in manners and size of a Grouse, only of less stocky build. As he rose and whilst on the wing he uttered a plaintive two note call. He settled about forty yards off and I had a momentary glimpse of his head. I tried to stalk him but saw nothing more of him. J.M.M.'
Ryves (1948: 17) says: 'A male in full plumage was seen on the St. Columb Downs on May 20th, 1939.' However, it was not recorded in Penhallurick (1978: 125-7).
Comment J. M. Macmillan of Polzeath. Date is well outside of normal occurrences with no mention of the white in the wings, all leads to a misidentification. Not acceptable.
0). 1945 Norfolk Stanford, seen, undated.
(C. E. Gay, Wild Bird Protection in Norfolk 1945: 19).
[C. E. Gay, Wild Bird Protection in Norfolk 1945: 19].
History C. E. Gay (1945) in Wild Bird Protection in Norfolk, 1945, p. 19, under 'Miscellaneous Notes', says: 'Little Bustard. A bird believed to be a Little Bustard was seen by Brigadier Martin in the "battle area" at Stanford. The white on the neck was very pronounced. It is many years since a bird of this species visited Norfolk, the last recorded being in 1916.'
Comment Believed to be! Not acceptable.
0). 1951 Sussex Between Peasmarsh and Wittersham, feathers, early August.
(N. F. Ticehurst, Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist 8: 22).
[N. F. Ticehurst, Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist 8: 22].
History N. F. Ticehurst (1952) in the Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist, Vol. VIII. p. 22, recording the record in square brackets, says: 'Several feathers from the back of a Little Bustard, their bases still soft and moist, were picked up in a remote spot in the marsh between Peasmarsh and Wittersham, by Mr. E. Hassam, an ex-gamekeeper, early in August. It seems possible that a birds had been shot there or, perhaps more probably, struck by a Peregrine (R.C., N.F.T.).'
0). 1955 Sussex Panel, Pett, 3rd August.
(N. F. Ticehurst, Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist 8: 182).
[Not in Sussex Bird Report; des Forges & Harber, 1963].
History N. F. Ticehurst (1956) in the Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist, Vol. VIII. p. 182, says: 'One, seen at close range, Panel, Pett, Aug. 3rd (L. F. Cooke).' Not accepted locally (des Forges & Harber 1963).
Comment No identification details for this sight record of a difficult species. Not acceptable.
